Vietnam Accelerates Green Tourism with Sustainable Practices to Drive the Future Travel Growth, Attract International Visitors and Boost their Local Economy Revenue

Written By: Gishan Das

Gishan Das

Gishan Das is a dedicated graduate with academic backgrounds in History and Political Science and practical experience in journalism and digital content creation. He completed his History Honours from Serampore College under the University of Calcutta and Political Science Honours from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 2025. His academic credentials are supported by professional certifications including a B2 level Certification in French language, NISM Financial Education certification in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group alongside Gishan has strong expertise in journalism, news research and SEO-based content writing. He has demonstrated skills in news analysis, fact-checking, headline creation, digital storytelling and search-optimized reporting, which are also reflected in the journalism and media skills

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May 31, 2026 12:23 GMT+5:30

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The tourism industry in Vietnam is quickly embracing green or sustainable development by adopting environmentally conscious policies in order to facilitate further growth in the years ahead. This can be explained by the growing recognition of sustainability as an essential tool in the preservation of natural resources and ecosystem protection, while at the same time reflecting the needs of today’s consumer. In 2026, a study conducted by Agoda, an online travel company, found that 77 percent of travelers from Asia take sustainability into consideration when planning a holiday.

Vietnam ranks high among Asian nations, with 81 percent of the participants taking sustainability factors into account in choosing tourist destinations and 43 percent preferring sustainable hotels, thus confirming the critical importance of eco-practices in tourism. In response to these changing demands, tourism companies are incorporating eco-friendly elements in their tourism products and services, such as eco-tours, net zero travel programs, organic farming, and cultural experiences.

Tourism Enterprises Lead the Way in Sustainable Innovation

Leading tourism companies in Vietnam are pioneering green tourism models that integrate ESG (environmental, social, governance) standards into operations. At the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) Hanoi 2026, operators showcased innovative eco-friendly offerings. Vietravel unveiled its “New Generation” product line, incorporating ESG principles and the Living Experience Index (LEI) into product development. Key tours included “Ben Tre – Net Zero Passport”, “Live Green with the Mekong”, and community-based domestic tourism routes that combine environmental stewardship with cultural immersion.

Similarly, Vietluxtour launched the “Green Tourism and ESG Commitment Practice” ecosystem, offering socially responsible itineraries such as “Con Dao – Protecting Sea Turtles”, “Ha Giang – Responsible Tourism”, and cycling tours through Ninh Binh Heritage. These efforts demonstrate that green transformation is becoming an industry standard, with businesses that embrace sustainability expected to gain long-term competitive advantages and secure a larger share of the growing international eco-tourism market.

Destination Conservation and Visitor-Centric Experiences Drive Future Growth

Destinations across Vietnam are prioritizing environmental conservation over mass tourism exploitation, investing in waste management systems, eco-friendly facilities, and low-impact visitor activities. By offering responsible tourism experiences, localities can attract international eco-conscious travelers, encouraging longer stays, repeat visits, and higher spending.

These initiatives contribute to future tourism sector growth by ensuring that destinations remain attractive, competitive, and resilient to changing travel trends. Vietnam’s national tourism development strategy for 2030 emphasizes sustainable, inclusive, and green growth, while the National Green Growth Strategy 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, outlines actionable tasks for the tourism industry, including green tourism models, certification systems, and eco-labels for service providers.

VITA Green Tourism Criteria Support Industry Standardization

The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) has introduced the VITA Green Tourism Criteria, a comprehensive framework guiding destinations, accommodation facilities, travel agencies, and service suppliers toward sustainable operations. Aligned with international standards such as GSTC, Travelife, and Green Key, these criteria allow Vietnamese businesses to integrate into global tourism supply chains and access environmentally conscious travelers.

As of May 2026, more than 70 tourism units nationwide have received VITA Green certificates, marking the first officially recognized green tourism operators in Vietnam. This system empowers businesses to adopt incremental sustainability measures, demonstrating that green transformation can be achieved without large initial investments while positioning operators for future sector growth and global recognition.

Practical Implementation of Green Practices in Tourism

Vietnamese tourism businesses are demonstrating that sustainable practices can be implemented through small but impactful measures. For instance, the Ninh Binh Legend Hotel, a recent VITA Green-certified property, adopted strategies such as reducing single-use plastics, minimizing paper printing, using energy-efficient appliances, prioritizing local products, and promoting eco-friendly visitor behaviors.

These practical measures not only enhance environmental stewardship but also improve visitor experience, operational efficiency, and market appeal. By integrating sustainability into daily operations, tourism operators strengthen their future competitiveness, attract international eco-conscious travelers, and contribute to long-term industry resilience.

Targeting International Markets to Accelerate Tourism Growth

Vietnam’s green tourism initiatives are strategically aligned to capture growth from high-potential international markets. Countries such as Australia, India, and Japan exhibit growing interest in eco-conscious travel, heritage tourism, and wellness experiences, creating opportunities for Vietnam to expand future travel inflows. By leveraging certified green operators, eco-tourism products, and sustainable destination marketing, the country enhances its appeal to premium visitor segments, contributing to higher average spending, extended stays, and repeat visits.

This approach strengthens Vietnam’s global tourism competitiveness while ensuring that sector expansion aligns with sustainable development goals. Future tourism growth is increasingly driven by destinations that balance environmental preservation, cultural authenticity, and high-quality visitor experiences — areas where Vietnam is actively investing.

Future Tourism Sector Growth Through Sustainable Innovation and Connectivity

Vietnam is well on its way to ensuring continued tourism success by incorporating eco-certification programs, community-based tourism models, and net-zero travel programs into its tourism industry. Through PPPs, government regulations, and industry-specific programs, Vietnam has ensured that it will remain resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive in its tourism development efforts.

The implementation of sustainable tourism ensures increased numbers of visitors, economic stimulation, and job creation, as well as protection of the Kingdom’s cultural and natural resources for future generations. Given that sustainable tourism practices are increasingly in global demand, Vietnam’s early investment in sustainable practices ensures that it will remain a major tourist destination in Southeast Asia.